Updates on the Los Angeles County Aviation Commission Meeting, held at Whiteman Airport 4/30/2025.
Approximately 70 attendees, all in support of saving Whiteman Airport. Most notable, approximately 12 Civil Air Patrol Cadets, all genders and ethnicities, and parents, gave well-spoken and impressive testimonies of how CAP at KWHP has changed, molded and improved their lives! I believe Eric Hasse, YouTube’s “SoCal Flying Monkey,” pilot, tenant and film maker recorded some of the testimonies.
With over 500 aircraft based at Whiteman (more aircraft than KEMT and KPOC combined), $1.9 million is generated in surplus revenue, it was brought to light that the county, facing $88 million dollar deficit, should not spend $1.3 million on a study to close its best revenue producing airport asset, that also was so important as a firefighting base during the recent LA fires helping to save over 7000 homes and businesses.
Pointed out, $51 million earmarked for KWHP federal funds should not be declined in light of pending runway improvement needs, and the two new commissioners recently appointed by Supervisor Horvath, were asked to carry this message to the Supervisor. The CAP testimony was very strong in support of what the airport means to the youth of the community. (Additionally, the Whiteman EAA Young Eagles program provides free flights for kids, the FAA Safety Program provides free recurrent community pilot training. and the airport provides many opportunities and jobs.) Special to SCAUWG.ORG by J. Marc Haney, DDS, MS